Waterproof cover for radio jacks and the like



R. R. GONSETT El'AL WATERPROOF COVER FOR RADIO JACKS AND THE LIKE Nov. 2, 1948.

Fild Oct. 11, 1944 J? 2 Robert Rnadomett a a flu Faust-Hammett Mm WW Patented Nov. 2, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE WATERPROOF COVER FOR RAnIoJAcK's AND THE LIKE Robert R. Gonsett and Faust R. G'onsett',

hos Angeles, Calif.

Application October 11, 1944, Serial No. 558,182

-9-Cla-ims; 1

It is an object of our invention to provide a waterproof cover or casing "for electrical conneotion known in the trade as a .radio' jack. Of course, this invention maybe used "with any similar electrical connection lfor vvat'erproofing purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple waterproof casing having a pivoted closure or plug spring actuated to-opening or closing position.

It is an object of this invention to provide a closure casing or cover that may be readily attached to a radio jack or similar connection.

Other objects, features of novelty and advantages will-be revealed in the following description given in connection with the attached drawings displaying the preferred embodiment in the following figures:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of our completed invention ready for attachment to a radio jack or-similar electrical connecting element.

Fig. 2 is a section taken centrally and: dia metrically in a vertical plane through the whole device including the spring actuating feature thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of our invention displayed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of our invention in open condition.

This waterproof casing or housing may be used in any environment where electrical connections may be wetted by water or any other liquid elec trolyte or conductor of electricity. This device is especially'useful and advantageous in connection with radio equipment and similar equipment used on boats, ships and particularly in landing boats or barges. It appears to be self-evident that this invention has an extensive field of essential application wherever protective Waterproof housings or casings are needed in. connection with electrical equipment which is subject to being wetted by a liquid that may become a conductor of electricity.

The housing or protective casing for shielding anelectrical elementfrom the entrance of water is generally and completely designated by I. The flanged tubular member 2 is provided with an inturned flange 4 defining a diaphragm having an apertured portion 8. The opposite end :of the tubular portion 2 has an imperforate inturne'd flange 2 defining an-apertured base portioni in axial alignment with the apertured portion -8. The apertured portion 3 is adapted to receive the threaded tubular endof a radio 'ja'ck J. The "radio jack is provided with a shoulder to engage the inside of a casing or panel and is secured in such position by a nut screw threaded on the threaded tubular extension of the jack. To attach our unique protecting and shielding c asing or housing, it is merely necessary "to unscrew the nut, apply a rubber Washer R and then the apertured end or base 2', 3 of the member 2 is secured in position by a reapplication of the screw threaded nut to the threaded tubular portion of the jack.

The radio jack J shown inF-ig. 2, is-discl'osed in the patent to Carter, 1,620,755, granted Mar-ch 15, 1927.

More specifically the flanged tubular member 2 comprises a comparatively soft rubber diaphragm 4 having a skirtor rimi position-edand secured to the upper end 8 of the flanged tubular element or portion 2; 2"and 3 by theuse ofa clamping ring 1. The ring I is preferably an endless helically coiled spring which tightly clamps the rim 5 to the end portion 6 of the apertured tubular element or portion 2,-2; 3 and '6.

The diaphragm '4 is provided with an'apertured portion 8 located axially in substantial alignment with the apertured portion 2 and 3 of the flanged tubular element 2. The diaphragm 4 is preferably tapered to a thin flexible resilient edge portion defining the ape'r'tured portion fl thereof.

The plug member 9 is provided with a manipulating handle or knob 1'9. The plug member 9 like the diaphragm 4 and skirt 5 in made of yieldable material such as rubber or rubbercom-- position or the like. The plug H per se is ro vided with two necked portions or annular grooves I2 and I3. A yieldable annular tapered projection is adapted to yieldingly engage the diaphragm 4.

The tubular member I 2 is *connected to the plug member '9. The preferred connecting means comprises hinge leaves or parts l5 and I 6. The leaf or part [5 embraces the tubular member 2 and is provided with U-shatped portions ll at substantially a right angle to the remainder of the leaf or'part |'5,'saidU-shape'd portions, having out turned portions [8. The bightportions l9 engage a pintle 20 having heads 2|.

The -U-shaped portions ll supporta helieal spring 22. One end of the spring '22 engages the leaf or part l5 and the projection lt The other end of the spring 22 supports a washer 23.

The leaf or part I 6 embraces the plug 9 and its ends are provided with about one andonefourth convolutio'ns 24'- surrounding tlie 'piritle lll and terminating in-substannany-tangential pmjections 25 engaging the free face of the spring actuated washer 23. The spring actuated washer urges the plug member a to closed position by the tension of the compressed helical spring 22. When the plug 9 is pulled open the projections 25 slide over the free face of the washer 23 from one side of the pintle 252 to the other side of said pintle. While this operation is performed the washer 23 is depressed against the tension of the helical compression spring 22. The spring 22 cooperating with the washer 23 and the pro-- jections 25 maintain the plug member 9 in either an open position or a closed position according to the results required by manipulation.

The tubular portion 2 is provided with a groove 3' extending substantially 340 degrees about the portion 2. The remainder of the circumference is not grooved and represents a distance of substantially 20 degrees and is indicated by a sub stantially straight vertical portion 3" defining stops,

The leaf or part 55 engages in the groove 3 and the portions of said leaf or part It including the shoulders .9 thereof are maintained in said groove 3 by the helical spring 22 which embraces the U-shaped portions ll of the leaf Hi and prevents the loop portions of said leaf from spreading apart.

Portions of the leaf or part it are provided with shoulders s which engage the adjacent ends of the groove 3 and are located in the path of the stops defined by the straight portion 3' The arranged relation of the shoulders s and the stops prevents or limits relative rotation between the leaf or part !5 and the tubular portion 2.

It will observed that the helical spring 22 performs a dual function first, by maintaining the Washer 23 in a resiliently elevated position and secondly, it maintains the loop leaf or part I5 securely in the grooved portion 3' of the tubular portion 2.

The leaves [5 and [6 of the hinge are bendable, as by the use of a pliers, so that the tubular member and plug member may be relatively adjusted With reference to each other, especially as to their axial alignment.

It is noted that the helical portions of the spring hinge which surround the pintle are provided with projections 25. These projections could be omitted since a portion of the washer 23 resiliently bears against the helical portions of the hinge and could act as a friction brake to retard the operation of the ceiling plug members l0 and H. In the slight modification suggested it is noted that it is not shown on the drawings 1 but was contemplated in the original disclosure as clearly indicated in original claim 17.

Having fully disclosed our said invention in its preferred embodiment, What we claim is:

1. A protective waterproof cover for electrical circuit maker and breaker elements, such as a radio jack or the like, said cover comprising two members one member comprising a composite structure having a comparatively rigid tubular portion having an out turned flange on one of its ends and an inturned flange on its other end, said inturned flange defining an apertured base to receive a threaded end of an electrical element to which it is adapted to be secured by a threaded nut, said out turned end being embraced by a flanged apertured flexible diaphragm which is secured on said out turned flange by a clampband, said other member comprising a yieldable plug member having a yieldable plug to closely fit said apertured diaphragm, said rigid tubular portion having a groove intermediate its ends and substantially parallel to said ends, said tubular portion and said plug member being connected to each other by a hinge construction, one portion of said hinge construction embracing the grooved portion of said tubular member and the other portion of said hinge construction loosely embracing said plug member.

2. In a waterproof cover for electrical equipment, the substructure comprising a relatively rigid tubular member having a base, said tubular member having an imperforate inturned flange on its base, and an out turned flange on its opposite end, in combination with a flexible diaphragm including a yieldable, flexible depending skirt portion, said skirt portion having upper and lower edges, said skirt embracing said out turned flange of siad tubular member, in further combination with a continuous clamping band, said band clampingly engaging the skirt intermediate the edges thereof to clamp said skirt and the diaphragm thereof securely to said tubular member.

3. A protecting waterproof cover for radio jacks," said cover comprising an association of two hingedly connected members, one member having a substantially rigid apertured base provided with an imperforate, inturned flange adapted to receive a portion of the radio jack for sealed securement thereto, said member having the rigid base being also provided with an apertured flexible diaphragm portion opposite said apertured base and suitably spaced therefrom and secured thereto in waterproof condition, said other member comprising a plug closely fitting and sealing said apertured diaphragm when closed, said plug having a manipulating means thereon exposed externally of said cover to aid in opening and closing the same.

i. A protecting waterproof cover for electrical connections, such as radio jack or like electrical conducting element having a exposed screw threaded hollow stem having a screw threaded nut thereon, said cover comprising a pair of complemental members connected to each other articulately by a spring hinge having parts embracing coaxially arranged portions of said complemental members, one of said complemental members comprising a yieldable apertured diaphragm having a substantially rigid tubular base, said base having an inturned imperforate flange for sealed attachment to the screw threaded stem aforesaid, the other complemental member comprising a sealing plug for said diaphragm, said hinge parts being tensioned to maintain said plug in sealing contact with said diaphragm, said plug having a manipulating means thereon to aid in operating the same.

5. A protective waterproof cover for an electrical conducting element, such as a radio jack or the like, said element having an exposed tubular screw threaded stem having a threaded nut thereon, said cover comprising two principal complemental members connected together articulately by means constituting a spring hinge, one of said members comprising an apertured flexible diaphragm having a substantially rigid tubular portion terminating in an imperforate inturned flange for sealed securement to the screw threaded stem by said nut aforesaid, said other principal member compising a sealing plug for said apertured diaphragm, said plug having means thereon to aid in manipulating the same to open and closed positions.

6. A protective waterproof cover for electrical make and break connections, said cover comprising a pair of members having co-axial portions in waterproof sealing condition with each other to prevent the entrance of water into the make and break connections, said members being connected by a spring hinge having two principal parts thereof embracing individually and respectively the coaxial portions of said members, one of said members comprising a tubular portion having an apertured flexible diaphragm on one of its ends and an inturned imperforate flange on its other end, the other member being yieldable supported by said spring hinge and comprising a portion carrying a yieldable plug receivable by said apertured diaphragm to close the same when desired, said spring hinge being biased to maintain said members in waterproof sealing contact when in a closed position.

7. A protective waterproof cover for electrical make and break connections, said cover comprising a tubular member having an apertured base, said base being defined by an imperforate inturned flange, an apertured flexible diaphragm spaced from said base and being opposite therefrom, in combination with a yieldable plug member, said plug member being adapted to seal said diaphragm against the entrance of water or other liquid, said tubular and yieldable plug members being connected by a spring hinge having two principal parts which individually and respectively engage and embrace said members, said principal parts being connected by a pintle, one of said principal parts constituting an embracing means for said tubular member and having angularly disposed U-shaped portions, said portions being surrounded by a helical spring and washer, said helical spring maintaining said embracing means and said tubular member securely fastened together, said spring urging said washer toward said pintle, said other principal hinge part having projections extending beyond the pintle and remote from the plug and slidably engaging said washer, said plug being biased by said helical spring to maintain said plug in waterproof sealing contact with said diaphragm when the members are in closed position.

8. In article of manufacture comprising a waterproof cover for electrical equipment, said cover having open and closed positions, said cover comprising, when in closed position, two axially aligned cooperating sealing members connected together by a spring hinge having engaging and embracing loops, each of said loops embracing respectively one of said sealing members, one of said loops having U-shaped portions, extending at an angle to its loop, a coiled compression spring, seats on said U-shaped portions,

said spring surrounding said U-shaped portions, and resting on said seats, one of said sealing members comprising a tubular element provided with a flexible apertured diaphragm on one end thereof and an imperforate inturned flange on its other end, said flange being substantially rigid, said other sealing member comprising a plug fitting and sealing said apertured diaphragm when the members are in closed position, said plug being maintained in tensioned engagement with said apertured diaphragm by said spring when said members are in closed position.

9. In a waterproof cover for electrical equipment, the substructure comprising a yieldable sealing plug having a knob and a pair of spaced annular co-axial grooves thereon adjacent said knob, said plug also having a yieldable annular tapered projection between said annular rooves and co-axial therewith, in combination with a wire loop construction engaging and surrounding the major portion of said plug and the annular groove nearer said knob, said loop having end portions, each end portion being formed into a helix, said helices being arranged in substantially co-axial relation, each helix having a projection thereon extending laterally and angularly outwardly therefrom and away from said plug, said helices being located laterally of and beyond said plug.

ROBERT R. GONSETT. FAUST R. GONSETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 13, 1940 France June 13, 1938 Number Number Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,452,922. November 2, 1948. ROBERT R. GONSETT ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 3, line 36, after the Word will insert be; column 4, line 18, claim 2, for siad read said; column 5, line 47, claim 8, for In article read An article;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of May, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

' Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Potent No. 2,452,922. November 2, 1948.

ROBERT R. GONSETT ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 3, line 36, after the word will insert be; column 4, line 18, claim 2, for sled read said; column 5, line 47, claim 8, for In article read An article;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of May, A. D. 1949.

Fun]

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

' Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

